Video Player Close TEHRAN, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif denounced on Friday the U.S. continued sanctions against Iran amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "Even amid COVID-19, the U.S. continues to exert Trump's failed 'maximum pressure' on Iranians. Isn't it time to try something that may actually work?" Zarif wrote on social media as quoted by official news agency IRNA. The Iranian diplomat posted the image of a 6-year-old Iranian girl who was affected by the U.S. sanctions, as well as a complaint made by her. The girl, called Yasna, said she had a seizure at the age of 6 months, and her parents could not obtain the only medicine effective for her treatment after "ignorant American politicians made a wrong and inhuman decision overnight." According to the letter, Yasna's illness then worsened and led to many seizures, which reduced 99 percent of her speech ability and 90 percent of her decision-making capability. Zarif warned that "her ... » Learn More about Iran’s FM slams U.S. continued “maximum pressure” amid COVID-19
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World Insights: Biden under pressure to act on America’s gun violence
Video Player Close by Matthew Rusling WASHINGTON, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Apart from working hard to get the COVID-19 pandemic under control, U.S. President Joe Biden is under pressure to take action on the country's "epidemic of gun violence." Biden called on Congress to enact "commonsense gun law reforms" last month on the third anniversary of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, southeastern state of Florida, which claimed 17 lives, including 14 students. "Today, I am calling on Congress to enact commonsense gun law reforms, including requiring background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and eliminating immunity for gun manufacturers who knowingly put weapons of war on our streets," Biden said in a statement. Stressing there was no time to wait, Biden said his administration "will take action to end our epidemic of gun violence and make our schools and communities safer." Democratic-led ... » Learn More about World Insights: Biden under pressure to act on America’s gun violence
Indian-Americans taking over US, says Biden
Indian-Americans are 'taking over the country', United States President Joe Biden said on Thursday, referring to the large number of 'incredible' professionals from the community holding key positions in his administration. IMAGE: US President Joe Biden. Photograph: Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images In less than 50 days of his presidency, Biden has appointed at least 55 Indian-Americans to key leadership positions in his administration ranging from his speech writer to the National Aeronautic Space Administration, to almost every wing of the government. "Indian-of-descent Americans (sic) are taking over the country. You (Swati Mohan), my Vice President (Kamala Harris), my speech writer (Vinay Reddy)," Biden said in a virtual interaction with NASA scientists who were involved in the historic landing of Perseverance landing at Mars. Indian-American scientist Swati Mohan leads the guidance, navigation, and control operations of NASA's Mars 2020 mission. Biden, who was sworn in ... » Learn More about Indian-Americans taking over US, says Biden
Nirmala dismisses report on human rights in India
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lashed out at the U.S. think tank Freedom House — which has downgraded India’s status from “free” to “partly free” — accusing the body of not even getting the “Indian map” correct. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry on behalf of the government also issued a statement calling the report “misleading, incorrect and misplaced”. Speaking to reporters at an interaction in Indian Women’s Press Corps on Friday, Ms. Sitharaman said, “I am concerned about a group which does not get the Indian map correct. And this body as per its website says it is an independent body. It doesn't have the wherewithal to understand what is the sovereign territorial map of India and in a country as diverse as India they have gone into freedom of religion and everything,” she said. Also read | Freedom in the World 2020 report ranks India among least free democracies Religious co-existence She asserted that ancient religions have co-existed without “cleansing” ... » Learn More about Nirmala dismisses report on human rights in India